Graphite-like C3N4 hybridized ZnWO4nanorods: Synthesis and its enhanced photocatalysis in visible light

Abstract

Graphite-like C₃N₄ hybridized ZnWO₄ photocatalyst is synthesized via a facile chemisorption. The C₃N₄/ZnWO₄ photocatalysts show high efficiency for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light and visible light irradiation. A loading amount of 5% C₃N₄ over ZnWO₄ leads to an 80% increase in the photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance under UV light irradiation could be attributed to the high separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The visible light activity of C₃N₄/ZnWO₄ originates from the injection of excited electrons from the lower unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of C₃N₄ to the conduction band (CB) of ZnWO₄.